Contact: Jessie Geraci-Perez
(608) 220-1514
JGeraci-Perez@uwhealth.org
MADISON, Wis. – UW Health is among 22 employers in Wisconsin recognized as a Vets Ready Employer in 2024 by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development and its Office of Veteran Employment Services.
The annual award recognizes Wisconsin employers that have gone above and beyond to hire and support veterans and their families. UW Health was awarded a gold certification in the large-sized business category.
Applicants are rated and awarded based on criteria including support for veterans in the workplace, such as available resources, training and work environment, hiring practices to prioritize veteran hires, and efforts to connect to the wider veteran community, including military families, service members and veterans.
Advocacy for veterans at UW Health includes pioneering participation in the Wisconsin Military Medics and Corpsmen Program. It temporarily waives the credential and license requirements for eligible Army medics, Navy corpsmen and Air Force techs, allowing them to work in civilian health care roles while they seek additional medical credentials or licenses, according to Rudy Jackson, chief nurse executive, UW Health.
“I’m proud that UW Health recognizes the value and skills of veterans,” he said.
Employing veterans and supporting them on the job is personal to Jackson, who spent 27 years in the Army primarily as a medic and nurse.
“I was proud to serve my country, and I took care of patients in tough situations in a war zone but when I came back to the United States, my civilian health care options were nonexistent, I ended up working at Blockbuster,” he said. “So, bringing capable veterans into our workforce where they can use their skills and knowledge to help our patients is incredibly gratifying.”
UW Health also supports employees still serving in the military or those who have retired or separated from military service with an employee resource group that helps members navigate the organization and provides them with a sense of belonging.
The Vets Ready Employer Initiative encourages employers to build a support system within their workplace, hire and retain more veterans and connect to veterans and their families in the community, according to Gary Meyer, director of the Division of Employment and Training for the Office of Veteran Employment Services at the Department of Workforce Development.
“Employers, like UW Health, that demonstrate exemplary support for the veteran community understand what a tremendous asset these veterans are to the community and their businesses,” he said.
Every year the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development recognizes businesses that have gone above and beyond for the veteran workforce. Award program partners include the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, Wisconsin Department of Disabled American Veterans, American Legion Department of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce.
